Alfa Romeo Sprint

1900 CSS Ghia

• 1 of 10 ever built
• Prize winning restoration
• Coachbuilt masterpiece of Carrozzeria Ghia

The Alfa Romeo 1900 was Alfa Romeo's first production model after the Second World War. Smaller and more compact than the pre-war 6C 2500, it featured a 1,975 cc DOHC in-line four-cylinder engine with Weber carburettors, five-speed manual gearbox, independent front suspension with double A-arms, coil springs and hydraulic dampers, live axle rear suspension with trailing links, and four-wheel drum brakes. It was introduced as a saloon in 1950, and a year later the sportier 1900C Sprint Coupé was introduced with a shorter wheelbase. Alfa Romeo continued to squeeze more power out of the two-litre engine, with the Super Sprint version eventually producing 115 bhp. Ghia designed around 10 different body styles on the 1900C chassis.

Our Alfa Romeo 1900C "Super Sprint" is a very rare and unusual "concept car", built during the golden era of Carrozerria Ghia. Only 10 of these stunning examples were built, each one different from the last. By modifying the headlights, bumpers, rear lights and interior, Ghia managed to make each car unique. The particularly futuristic design was the work of Giovanni Savonuzzi, who was respected for his work at Cisitalia, where he was a designer, but soon proved his worth at Ghia and became chief designer. This example is undoubtedly one of the rarest 1900s built. For chassis number 01838, Savonuzzi designed the so-called "floating headlights", which seem to float in the air intake opening. On the other hand, the panoramic windscreen and the modest tail fins give it a slightly American touch. The engine is a cast-iron 1308 block of 1975 cc and 115 bhp, with an aluminium cylinder head, twin overhead camshafts and twin Webers. The underlying chassis and drivetrain is a much sought-after 1900SS from Alfa Romeo, the steering wheel and extremely smooth 5-speed gearbox are courtesy of Nardi, and the wheels are the original Borrani 400MMs that were sometimes used by early competition Ferrari’s.

She was delivered new in 1954 to George Walker, who at the time was vice president in the design department of Ford Motor Company and collaborated on the design of the Ford thunderbird, among others. So it means a lot when a Ford automotive designer was so impressed by the design of this 1900SS that he put aside his pride and did everything in his power to snare one of the 10 made.

The current owner of the car purchased it in 2014 from the Blackhawk Collection, which is widely regarded as a top-tier museum that specializes in showcasing only the most exceptional and rare vehicles in automotive history.

No expense has been spared in this restoration, as evidenced by the extensive restoration file that accompanies the car. Every detail has been attended to and originality was of great importance to the owner. The result is more than worth it, the fit is near perfect and the panels are perfectly parallel. This car is therefore eligible for almost any historical event and has already won prizes at the Paleis Het Loo Concours d'Elegance, the Antwerp Concours D'elegance and appeared several times at Autoworld exhibitions.

In short, a beautiful and very rare Alfa Romeo 1900SS by Ghia that has been fully restored to concours condition, has won several awards, has a wonderful history and is world famous for its presence in various books and magazines.

Now available at Rock 'N Roll Classics!
www.rnrclassics.be